The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Kyle achieves ‘goal’ as he guides his rink to Canada
Young Perthshire skip to also compete in Swiss Cup in Basel
Young Perthshire curler Kyle Smith is to lead his team to their first Grand Slam tournament next month.
Kyle Smith’s rink will compete in the Grand Slam of Curling Masters in Okatoks, Alberta, from October 25-30.
And they are among four Scottish teams taking part in the Swiss Cup in Basel this weekend.
A top finish at this Curling Champions Tour event could see them qualify for a further slam and provide valuable qualifying point opportunities in the lead up to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in 2018.
Former world junior champion Smith, who hails from Guildtown, said: “It has been a goal we have been chasing, to get to a slam event, so we are really pleased and excited that we have achieved this so early on in our season.
“We have watched a lot of the top teams that compete in these events, so to be included in that kind of field we know that we are really stepping up.”
Winning the Oakville Classic and reaching the semi-final of the Stu Sells Tankard in Oakville, to charge up the rankings on their first trip to Canada this season, reinforced the importance of having prepared properly in the close season.
“We committed to a lot of practice at the Kinross Training Camp in the summer and the good ice conditions, with the swing and the speed really helped us get ready for our first competitions,” said Smith.
“We were much more prepared and organised and that changed how we approached things and allowed us to play to the level that we did. That early start has given us a lot of wind and confidence
“After having a few weeks off after Canada, we are really looking forward to getting going again in Basel, where hopefully we can find that form again.
“There will be very good teams there, but we will take it as it comes and aim to get off to a confident start.
“We will be chasing points and we have to keep that in mind. We cannot afford to relax and must stay focused on that goal in every event.”
Winter Olympic silver medallists Team Murdoch will also be in action, looking to build momentum ahead of those European play-offs, as well as the rink skipped by Tom Brewster.
The fourth of the Scottish contenders in Basel will be world junior champions Team Mouat, skipped by Bobbie Lammie as Bruce Mouat is combining his team duties this season with Mixed Doubles, a new Olympic discipline for Pyeongchang in 2018.